Green kids

By Bridget Cook
LYNDHURST Primary School students stepped outside the classroom and into the environment last week for wetland education.
The recently opened primary school, in the Marriot Waters estate had an advantage when it came to learning about the ecological benefits of wetland systems, as the estate wetlands is in their backyard.
Almost 40 Grade 3 and 4 students visited the Royal Botanic Gardens in Cranbourne on Tuesday to take part in an educational program, before heading back to the Marriott Waters wetlands for the second half of the excursion.
The students conducted experiments on the types of plant and birdlife that currently inhabit the wetlands and learnt how water bodies benefit the local ecosystem.
Marriott Waters have invited students back into the wetlands next term to paint their artistic interpretations of the wetlands onto 12 totem poles that will form a permanent feature.
Sponsored by Marriott Waters, the program aims to educate the students about the importance of environmental protection.
Lyndhurst Primary School Principal Greg Lacey said the students were looking forward to participating in the Marriott Waters wetland education program.
“Besides the environmental benefits of such a program, it’s an ideal opportunity to take our education program out into the neighbourhood,” he said.
“The wetlands provide a beautiful aspect for our school. Through this program however, the students will come to understand that they are of far more significant value than simply their aesthetics.”